Washington agreements open new opportunities for Kazakhstan's economy, according to an Azerbaijani expert.
Peace in the South Caucasus: Kazakhstan's Opportunities and Role
The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, signed in Washington in August 2025, has marked a significant shift in the economy and geopolitics of the South Caucasus and neighboring regions. This historic agreement has established a U.S.-backed transit corridor, the TRIPP corridor, connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory, thereby facilitating trade between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia without passing through Iran or Russia.
Economically, this corridor opens new transport routes as an alternative to the existing east-west Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan corridor, providing Armenia with a new role in regional trade networks and breaking its economic isolation, especially in relations with Turkey. The U.S. has obtained exclusive development rights for infrastructure projects (rail, oil, gas, fiber optics) along the corridor for 99 years, expanding American economic influence in the region.
Geopolitically, the agreement marks a shift away from Russian dominance in Armenia and the South Caucasus, with Armenia cooling ties to Moscow and engaging more with Western partners and Iran for balance. It reduces Iranian, Russian, and Chinese influence by creating a U.S.-controlled transit route on Iran’s northern flank and curtailing Moscow’s traditional security and economic grip. This enhances U.S. leverage extending into the Middle East and Central Asia, linking diverse regions in a new strategic arc.
Kazakhstan, as a leading nation in the Turkic world due to its geographical position, economic potential, and political opportunities, has played a significant role in this peace process. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has visited Shusha and other territories several times, and his meetings with the President of Azerbaijan have always had a strategic character. Tokayev welcomed the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and proposed Almaty as a venue for ministerial-level negotiations.
The peace agreement has the potential to resolve the "Armenian question," opening a new chapter in the history of the South Caucasus region. It will be beneficial for regions adjacent to the South Caucasus, such as Kazakhstan, the countries of Central Asia, Russia, Iran, and others, as they will gain enormous benefits, including the opening of transportation routes.
Kazakhstan, having played a notable role in the peace process, will be able to strengthen its positions in the Turkic world and expand its access to international markets. The prosperity of Kazakhstan following these events will continue on an upward trajectory. The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia may lead to the signing of a peace treaty and the realization of the Zangezur corridor at a faster pace.
After the signing of the peace agreement, Armenia no longer has territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The peace agreement forms the basis for large-scale economic and transport integration in the South Caucasus region. Kazakhstan can pursue its national interests within the framework of Turkic and other international organizations together with Azerbaijan.
The news of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as reported in general-news media, has highlighted Kazakhstan's significant role in the South Caucasus and its geopolitical opportunities. As the peace agreement addresses the "Armenian question," it opens avenues for economic and transport integration, with Kazakhstan potentially expanding its access to international markets and strengthening its positions in the Turkic world.
